Blog

Have you ever wondered what it takes to protect the outdoor spaces you love? The Mountaineers Conservation & Advocacy program is our deliberate and strategic plan to safeguard the natural places we all cherish. Our unique, grassroots engagement model is powered by over 17,000 members, including you, and combines conservation education, stewardship, and advocacy with deep policy expertise. This community-driven approach to getting people outdoors creates strong connections to the natural world, turning our community into powerful advocates for public lands and other protected areas. Read more…

As a 501(c)(3) volunteer-led organization, The Mountaineers depends on the generosity, initiative, and leadership of our volunteers to steward the future of our organization. We are humbled by the service provided by Board and branch directors whose positions are confirmed by members each year. Thank you for all you do as members to elevate our mission, and for your participation in the forthcoming election process for these organization-wide leaders. Read more…

Photographer and author Tommy Corey has built his career around amplifying stories of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the outdoors. As an LGBTQ+ Mexican-American creative based in Redding, California, Corey first fell in love with life outside during his thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, a journey that sparked a wholehearted devotion to documenting the transformative power of nature.  Read more…

The Mountaineers is an extraordinary community of givers who selflessly and passionately support our mission to connect
people to the natural world and each other. Read more…

Too exhausted to pause for a snack, we finally round the last switch back. Our water supply is depleted. Above us, slivers of snow glimmer on the talus field we just glissaded down. Below, we hear the raging river, lined with alpine shrubbery. The sun is almost gone as twilight engulfs the sky. Just as a student mutters, “are we there yet?” a sight for sore eyes appears near the river: our blue Subaru.   Read more…

Last week, Mountaineers conservation staff and our Outdoor Alliance Washington (OA Washington) partners enjoyed a scenic hike on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest with Representative Rick Larsen, members of his staff, and local land managers. The Congressman was eager to spend time on public lands in the North Cascades with recreation stakeholders during this year’s summer congressional district work period. These relationship-building opportunities with lawmakers and their staff represent one of the ways OA Washington is building bipartisan support for public lands and outdoor recreation initiatives in Congress. Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Mountainfilm on Tour is coming back to The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center! Founded in 1979, Mountainfilm is one of America’s longest-running film festivals, inspiring audiences through stories of indomitable spirit.  Read more…

Back-to-school is right around the corner and now is a great time to seek out year-round outdoor adventure at The Mountaineers. While most of our programs are geared toward adults, Mountaineers ages 2-18 can find joy and confidence outdoors through Youth Programs like break camps, year-round clubs, and after-school programs. Read more…

As I step into the warmth of the Meany Lodge common area, a cacophony of oohs and aahs leads me to a table at the front that is overflowing with various mushrooms. Beneath blacklight, one glows vibrant neon. Another puff ball mushroom releases dark clouds when I squish it. Across the table, I spot smaller species: tiny slime molds. Finally, my eyes and nose discover a prized matsutake emanating its iconic smell – spicy with notes of cinnamon and pine. With guidance, fellow curious observers and I are invited to taste, smell, and touch the species on display. Read more…

As a child, I had a lot of adverse experiences exploring the outdoors. I was taught that outdoor spaces were not for people with my skin-tone, religious beliefs, and dietary traditions. It wasn’t until I found an informal BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) group of hikers and climbers in my early 20s that I felt finally able to grow my love for getting out into nature. Since moving to Seattle, I’ve fostered my outdoor pursuits through The Mountaineers – first through backpacking, then climbing and cross-country skiing, before finally finding my true passion: canyoning. Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to.. Read more…

The Roadless Rule is a key conservation safeguard that protects two million acres of national forests in Washington - and more than 58 million acres nationally - from logging and development. Unfortunately, the current administration is planning to undermine Roadless protections by repealing the Roadless Rule. Read more…

Interested in helping  young people build skills, courage, and a lifelong love of the outdoors, while having a blast along the way? The 2025–2026 youth program year is about to kick off, and we’re seeking passionate volunteers to spark adventure in the next generation of leaders. From climbing and skiing to kayaking and trail running, there are so many ways to share your love of the outdoors. Read more…

The Hood River Crag Rats, America’s oldest all-volunteer search and rescue team, is situated in the foothills of North America’s most-climbed glaciated peak: Mount Hood. Author and emergency room doctor Christopher Val Tilburg recounts many of the highs and lows of the Crag Rats' hundred-year history in his new book Crisis on Mount Hood. As climate change and overcrowding alter the shape of mountain rescue, the Crag Rats remain unwaveringly dedicated to keeping adventurers safe. Read more…

Do you have tips on ways to avoid blisters during a hike? Are you the best at pitching a tent in the rain? Have you learned something unique from a Mountaineers course or activity? We want to know!  Read more…

Ready to climb frozen waterfalls in 2026? The Seattle Branch is excited to offer two water ice climbing courses in Ouray, Colorado. Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

One of the ways we're reducing our organization's impact on the environment is by educating our community about sustainability and how we can collectively reduce our carbon footprint as Mountaineers. This includes sharing about the Carbon Footprint Reduction Committee’s work to reduce the carbon impact of Mountaineers facilities and operations, as well as steps you can take to reduce your individual carbon footprint. Read more…

Say goodbye to summer by unloading your extra outdoor gear or by scoring items on your fall gear wish list with our End of Summer Gear Grab! You can stop by The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center on September 9 from 6-8pm to buy or sell gently used outdoor gear. Read more…

On June 4, we completed a new concrete pathway at our Seattle Program Center, improving access into our building for people in wheelchairs, caterers, and anyone using wheels. The path stands not just as a functional improvement, but as a symbol of community, generosity, and teamwork. I want to extend my deepest thanks to three incredible individuals who made this project possible: Elizabeth Nakashima, John Rollins, and Trent Jackson. Read more…

This season has reminded me how crucial it is to stay safe and hydrated during hot-weather hikes. On one recent outing that involved a lot of exposure, a  participant got so dehydrated they needed two liters of IV fluids from the ER. Another stopped talking and moving mid-trail, verging on heat exhaustion. Both were strong hikers, but heat illness and hydration challenges caught them off guard. Read more…

The towering evergreens and moss-covered trails of the Olympic Peninsula play an important role in connecting outdoor enthusiasts from near and far to the natural world. But public lands and trails like these aren’t just critical for outdoor programs, they’re an ideal setting for relationship building efforts with policymakers and their staff, one hike at a time. Read more…

One of the ways the recreation community speaks up for the lands we love is by participating in public comment opportunities provided by federal land agencies like the Forest Service and the National Park Service. Many opportunities to weigh in on land management planning processes are required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Through the years, Mountaineers have continued to answer calls to action to participate in NEPA processes, including efforts to protect Washington’s Methow Valley from mining and how to access Mount Rainier National Park during the peak summer season.
Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to.. Read more…

Meet Barbara Folmer, a Foothills backpack, snowshoe, hike, and naturalist leader who has received many Key Leader and Super Volunteer badges, and can’t remember a time when she didn’t hike! Read more…

Our volunteer leaders are a huge part of what makes the Foothills Branch one of the fastest growing branches, offering a broad array of activities we all love. Each year, we honor the hard work and dedication of one Foothills volunteer by presenting them with the Branch Service Award. Read more…

Our community knows well the critical role that land managers play in the conservation of our shared public lands. During our annual Donor and Volunteer Block Party this spring, attendees shared their appreciation by signing six thank you cards to federal land managers. As a significantly reduced land manager workforce faces growing challenges, our support is deeply appreciated, and there's more we can do to support sustainable management of Washington’s parks and forests. Read more…

In October 2024, my outdoor world shifted. My faithful canine companion injured his paw, and a hiking partner shared she’d be moving out of state, which left me scrambling to find new trail friends. Rather than retreat, I completed the necessary requirements to lead hikes for The Mountaineers and joined stewardship work parties with the Washington Trails Association (WTA). I had no idea that both paths would challenge me, teach me, and expand my relationship with the outdoors in unexpected ways. Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…